Summer - Scholarships

Financial Aid Options

Accepted students meeting eligibility requirements and qualifying for support for the following types of financial aid may contact us at summersession@flbs.umt.edu or call (406) 872-4515 for additional information:

  • Americorps (Segal Americorps Education Award)
  • Montana Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31)
  • Federal Financial Aid awarded to UM students: any remaining award from preceding academic year may be available to matriculated UM students taking 6 credits or more of FLBS summer courses.
  • Consortium Agreement for degree program students at other universities: if your home university's Financial Aid office allows the use of a Consortium Agreement, you may request any available summer financial aid through your home university.

Scholarships

Numerous scholarships are available to qualified students (see criteria below). Scholarships are awarded on a first-to-apply rolling basis, so early application is strongly recommended.

Scholarship Process

  • Awardees will receive $450/credit until all funds are allocated.
  • e.g. a 3 credit class will receive $1,350 discount to tuition; 8 credits will receive a $3,600 discount
  • Your scholarship statement is due at the time you submit your application. Your letter of recommendation (see requirements below) may be submitted later.
  • After receipt of your letter of recommendation, awardees will receive a Scholarhip Award Letter with your funding amount and instructions for a required Thank You Letter.
  • The Thank You Letter must be returned to FLBS before your award will be credited to your account.
  • If you are in need of additional funding, contact summersession@flbs.umt.edu to indicate your level of need.
  • * Scholarship funds may not be applied to the Seminars in Ecology course.

Scholarship Criteria

  • Must carry at least 3 credits during the FLBS summer session
  • Sophomore standing prior to the start of the summer program
  • GPA of at least 3.0 in the general area of the life sciences
  • Undergraduate and Graduate students are eligible
  • If applying based on a demonstrated need for financial assistance, the FAFSA Electronic Student Aid Report (SAR)

Scholarship Applications Require:

  1. A completed online application, including a $50.00 nonrefundable application fee, and official or unofficial transcripts
  2. An uploaded statement about why you wish to attend FLBS. Indicate which courses or research work will be undertaken during the summer session. Explain how participation in courses and research at FLBS are relevant to your university curriculum or your plans for future work.
  3. One letter of reference from a faculty member, supervisor, advisor, instructor or mentor in support of your request, emailed directly by the author to summersession@flbs.umt.edu or sent to Scholarship Committee, Flathead Lake Biological Station, University of Montana, 32125 Bio Station Lane, Polson, MT 59860-6815
  4. If seeking additional funding, you may upload a copy of your FAFSA SAR for 2024-2025 or 2025-2026.
  5. Students may alternatively send print copies of their scholarship application statement and FAFSA SAR to: Scholarship Committee, Flathead Lake Biological Station, University of Montana, 32125 Bio Station Lane, Polson, MT 59860-6815.

Where To Send

Scholarship application materials may be uploaded in the Forms section of your online application.

Due Date

Completed scholarship applications are due at FLBS by April 6, 2025. You must contact us to confirm that all scholarship materials have been received.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Scholarships at FLBS are provided through the generosity of many donors:

Mary Elrod Ferguson Memorial Scholarship, in honor of Dr. Morton J. Elrod

Mary Elrod Ferguson bequeathed part of her estate for the purpose of establishing a memorial fund in honor of her father, Dr. Morton J. Elrod. Dr. Elrod founded the Biological Station (FLBS) in 1899 and devoted his life to the establishment and development of the Station and the Department of Biology at the University of Montana (formerly known as Montana State University). The scholarship awarded from this memorial is presented to a currently enrolled student at the University of Montana who attends classes at the Biological Station.

Dr. Jessie Bierman Scholarship

Dr. Jessie Bierman, originally a student of the Biological Station in 1921, established an endowment fund that provides support to FLBS for a number of purposes, one being scholarship support for deserving students. Dr. Bierman was a very valued and dear friend of the Biological Station.

Eric and Tootie Myhre Scholarship

Eric and Tootie Myhre, former members of the FLBS Advisory Council, established this scholarship to benefit students at the Biological Station. The first scholarship was awarded during 2003 in memory of Eric.

James Hunter and Colleen Shaw Dion Scholarship

Marcia Knell, Jane Zackary and William Dion, family of James and Colleen Dion, established this scholarship as a memorial to their parents. Both mother and father were graduates of the University of Montana in 1938 and 1937, respectively. They remained active and involved as alumni and had a long association with Flathead Lake. This scholarship is awarded to deserving undergraduate students at the University of Montana who are studying at FLBS.

Dr. Robert L. Gilbertson Scholarship

This scholarship was established in recognition of Dr. Gilbertson's contributions to the science of ecology and plant pathology, and his abiding interest in the West in general, and in western Montana and Flathead Lake in particular. During his summers at UM, he studied at FLBS. The scholarship will be awarded to a deserving undergraduate or graduate student studying at the Biological Station.

Matthew Levitan Scholarship

Matthew Levitan, a 1973 graduate of The University of Montana in political science and history, established this scholarship endowment in 1996. This scholarship is awarded to a graduate or undergraduate student at The University of Montana who is studying or conducting research at FLBS.

Mark Levitan Scholarship

Matthew Levitan established this scholarship as a remembrance to his brother, Mark Levitan, who passed away as a young adult. This scholarship is awarded to a graduate or undergraduate student at UM who is studying or conducting research at FLBS.

Charles "Chuck" Levitan Scholarship

Chuck Levitan is a faculty member at Sierra Nevada College. He often returns to the Biological Station during the summer to conduct research. Matthew Levitan established this scholarship in the name of his brother.

Robert Levitan Scholarship

Robert Levitan graduated from The University of Montana in 1982 with a degree in geology. He currently works for the DNRC in Helena, Montana. This scholarship, provided by Matthew Levitan, is awarded to a deserving undergraduate or graduate student at UM who is studying or doing research at FLBS.

Sara Spero Levitan Scholarship

Matthew Levitan provided another generous scholarship in the name of his sister, Sara Spero Levitan. The scholarship is awarded to a deserving undergraduate or graduate student at FLBS.

Richard and Jane Solberg Scholarship

Dr. Richard "Dick" Solberg served as Director of FLBS from 1962-1969. Upon his retirement from The University of Montana in 1987, contributions were used to establish a scholarship fund in his behalf. The scholarship has been augmented by gifts from Richard and Jane Solberg. This scholarship is awarded to one of the outstanding students at the Biological Station.

James and Wanda Hollensteiner Scholarship

James and Wanda Hollensteiner, friends of UM and residents of the Flathead Valley, set up this scholarship to benefit FLBS students focusing on water quality. The first scholarship was awarded in 2004.

James J. Elser Scholarship

Dr. Charles Goldman provided this scholarship in recognition of Jim Elser's exciting and highly productive career. Dr. Elser's scholarship provides funding for students studying or doing research at the FLBS.

Jack and Suzi Hanna Scholarship

This scholarship was established in recognition of Jack and Suzi Hanna’s lifelong dedication to environmental education and conservation of wildlife and their habitat in the Flathead Valley, Montana and around the world. Awards will benefit deserving undergraduate students studying or doing research at the FLBS, with preference given to out-of-state students when possible.

John and Rosanne Elser Scholarship

In recognition of John and Rosanne Elser’s lifelong dedication to education.

Dr. Pamela Hallock Muller and Dr. Robert G. Muller Field Research Scholarship

This scholarship will be awarded to deserving undergraduate and graduate students for field course experiences in biology and geosciences.

Jack A. Stanford Graduate Scholarship

This scholarship honors Dr. Stanford’s long-term service as Director and Professor of Ecology at the Flathead Lake Biological Station, as well as his extensive accomplishments in research, education, mentorship and conservation. Awards will benefit University of Montana graduate students studying or doing research at the FLBS.

Charles and Myrna Hall Scholarship

For undergraduate or graduate students studying or doing research pertaining to ecosystem science at the Flathead Lake Biological Station

E.O. Wilson Scholarship

For undergraduate students studying or doing cross-disciplinary research at the Flathead Lake Biological Station

Polson Rotary Club Scholarship

For students attending a college or university in Montana who are studying at the Flathead Lake Biological Station

Bonnie Ellis Graduate Scholarship

In recognition of Dr. Bonnie Ellis's career of significant achievements at the Flathead Lake Biological Station in scientific research, lake monitoring, education, mentorship, conservation, community engagement and public service. Bonnie was a pioneering scientist of her cohort.

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